The traditional Punch and Judy puppet show, a long-standing seaside attraction, is experiencing a revival after puppeteers removed violent elements from their performances to align with modern sensibilities. For years, the knockabout puppet show, which features the titular characters arguing and hitting each other, faced criticism for trivializing domestic violence.
Joe Burns, a puppeteer based in Dorset, reported performing his reworked version of the show nearly 150 times since the May bank holiday. "Punch and Judy does seem to be having a revival at the seaside," Burns stated, adding that "most performers don't hit Judy any more." The show, with origins tracing back to 1662, was once a staple in coastal resorts, with hundreds of performers in its heyday. Currently, only three full-time performers are active during the summer months.
While Burns believes the pretend violence did not genuinely upset children, he acknowledged the necessity of adapting to changing times. "Children should be given the credit that they know it's make-believe," he said. "Punch has been in the UK for 364 years – it would never have survived if it didn't adapt and change."
Some critics have labeled the revamped shows as "woke," arguing that the traditional performances were harmless fun, akin to cartoons like Tom & Jerry. However, incidents such as a Punch and Judy show being canceled at an event in South Wales in 2016 for downplaying violence highlight the sensitivities surrounding the act.
In 2024, drama experts at the University of Exeter began developing a more gender-balanced representation of the characters. Dr. Alissa Mello, who led the Judy Project, noted the differing audience perceptions. "Some audiences view it as misogynistic," she explained, "But others understand it as unruly, romping family entertainment and its place within the English cultural heritage of misrule."
